Foundation garments having resilient control units

ABSTRACT

Foundation garments of the girdle, corselet, panty girdle and bikini types feature resilient abdominal control units and simplified pocket structures for such units, wherein the number of fabric layers is held to a minimum to reduce bulkiness. Each control unit is constructed to allow complete freedom of movement of the body so as to promote comfort while continuing to exert abdominal control and causing the garment to maintain a proper position on the body at all times. Improved means are provided to completely eliminate the possibility of the main vertical rib of the control unit from jabbing into the body during stooping or bending and the control unit possesses improved means coacting with the simplified pocket to center the unit laterally, to seat the unit properly in the pocket and to maintain the upper margin of the garment straight and taut for added neatness.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,732,870 Herbener 1 May 15, 1973 [54]FOUNDATION GAIiMENTS HAVING Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin RESILIENTCONTROL UNITS Attorney B. P. Fishburne, Jr.

[76] Inventor: Henry M. Herbener, 803 N. Dawson St., Thomasville, Ga.31792 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed. Nov 3 1971 Foundation garments of thegirdle, corselet, panty girdle and bikini types feature resilientabdominal conpp 10 trol units and simplified pocket structures for suchunits, wherein the number of fabric layers is held to a 52 U.S. c1..12s/s33 minimum reduce bulkiness- Each WW0] unit is 51 Im. 01 ..A41c1/00 constructed allow complete freedom of movement 58 Field ofSearch128/567-571, 533, body as comfort While continuing 428, 431, 429, 443,577, 578, 559 to exert abdominal control and causing the garment tomaintain a proper position on the body at all times. 5 Reta-em CitedImproved means are provided to completely eliminate the possibility ofthe main vertical rib of the control UNITED STATES PATENTS unit fromjabbing into the body during stooping or 3 498 298 3 1970 Herbener ..12s533 bending and the possesses improved 3:295:531 1/1967 Herbener....128/570X means Coacting with the Simplified Pocket to center2,774,073 12/1956 Herbener ....l28/569X e uni laterally, to seat theunit properly in the 3,148,681 9/1964 Herbener ..l28/570 X pocket and tomaintain the upper margin of the gar- 2,632,891 3/1953 Herbener..l28/533 ent straight and taut for added neatness. 2,785,408 3/1957Beurie ..128/533 5 Claims, 43 Drawing Figures i E l59 I Q K s i v 2: :5r 5| f f I58 :z i r v ll f l l 1 i: g 1 v i! I? g l 5| :5 5, i 2 i 1 I655 I62 PATENTEB MAY] 5 I975 SHEET 1 BF 8 HGI INVENTOR HENRY M. HERBENERBY w mww ATTORNEY PATENTEDHAY] 51973 SHEET 2 BF 8 PMU HEB MAY 1 53975SHEET 3 OF 8 FIG. I0

\ PRIOR ART) PATENTED HAY] 5l973 1 FOUNDATION GARMENTS HAVING RESILIENTCONTROL UNITS The objective of the invention is to improve upon theprior art particularly as exemplified by US. Pat. No. 3,498,298, issuedto Herbener, on Mar. 3, 1970. More specifically the objectives girdles,to improve the construction and efficiency of operation of the metallicabdominal and garment control resilient units which are employed infoundation garments of the type featured in said prior Herbener patentand in the present application including girdles, corselets, pantygirdles, bikinitype garments and the like. The resilient metalliccontrol units of the present invention include a basic single circle orloop type having a vertical abdominal control rib which has guided freemovement on the front wall of the garment to accommodate all movementsof the wearer of the garment. The unit promotes comfort, controls theabdomen and positions the garment properly on the body during allmovements by the wearer. The basic single circle control unit maypossess straight horizontal rib elements at the top or bottom of thecircle or at both locations and such rib elements may be connecteddirectly into the wire loop or may be formed as attachments to theconnectors which join the ends of the wire loop. Additionally, thehorizontal rib elements at the bottoms of single circle units may carrytabs to center the unit laterally with respect to a pocket structure onthe garment front wall. Generally speaking, the above-enumerated novelfeatures are also incorporated in double circle or loop control units ofthe types employed on corselets or on high waisted girdles, as well ason certain garments which employ oval type control units having mainvertical ribs as a part thereof.

Additionally, the invention embodies improved and simplified pocketformations for the various types of control units employed on thegarments which pocket formations have a reduced number of fabric layers,thus adding to the comfort and flexibility of the garment and reducingits bulk or thickness. In general, by means of the features embodied inthe invention, the garment possesses increased flexibility and comfortas well as increased control of the body of the wearer particularly inthe critical abdominal area and also control of the garment itself onthe body and in particular the top marginal edge thereof which ismaintained straight and taut.

Additional important features of the present invention reside in theprovision on the various forms of garments of thin highly flexible shortrib elements positioned to have sliding contact with the main movablecontrol rib of the resilient unit, to increase the mobility andefficiency of the unit itself and to eliminate entirely the possibilityof the main rib jabbing into the body. The pocket structures whichcontain the control units have been improved to render them moreeconomical and to more properly center the unit laterally on the garmentfront wall and guide the main control rib vertically with completefreedom ofmovement of the main control rib. In at least one form of theinvention, a unique comfort pad is provided as a part of the pocketstructure and serves as a convenient closure for the pocket and alsoserves as the support element for the auxiliary thin ribs against whichthe main control ribs have guided sliding engagement.

Since the entire resilient control unit is readily removable andreplaceable in all forms of the invention, variations therein may beemployed to suit the figure and the needs of a particular wearer. Forexample, the length of the vertical control rib, may be varied to suitthe circumstances. Each garment therefore becomes substantiallycustom-made. The invention therefore has a very high degree ofversatility in connection with a variety of types of foundationgarments. The invention possesses many additional features of noveltyand advantages which will become apparent during the course of thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is an interior elevationalview of the front wall of a corselet embodying a form of the invention,a part of the garment rear wall being broken away.

' FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of an abdominal and garmentcontrol unit employed in a pocket structure on the corselet.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal transverse section taken on line 3-3 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a similar section taken on line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 5-5of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a similar section taken on line 66 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a pocket structureon the interior of the corselet front wall adapted to contain aremovable abdominal and garment control unit as depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged central vertical section taken on line 88 of FIG.1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8. I

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrammatic side elevations illustrating theimproved manner in which the control unit of the invention supports thetop of the corselet and prevents the garment from gapping from the chestin comparison to the prior art.

FIG. 12 is an interior side elevation of the front wall of a girdleembodying a second form of the invention, parts broken away and parts insection.

Flg. 13 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 13-13 of FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line l4-l4 of FIG.12.

FIG. 15 is an interior side elevation similar to FIG. 12 showing amodification of the invention as applied to girdles.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line I 16-16 of FIG.15.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line l7l7 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a horizontal section taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a pocket structure employedon the girdle as illustrated by FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 15 showing afurther modification.

FIG. 21 is a longitudinal vertical section taken online 21-21 of FIG.20.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation showing a modification of the control unitfor a girdle of the type depicted in FIG. 20.

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 showing a double loop control unitfor use in high waisted girdles.

FIG. 24 is a vertical section taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a modification of theconstruction and mounting of short ribs to be used on opposite sides ofa central main rib as depicted in FIG. 15.

FIG. 26 is a vertical section taken on line 2626 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a rear elevational view of a girdle, partly broken away,showing a further modified form of single loop control unit andsimplified pocket structure on the abdominal wall, the unit possessing anovel selfcentering feature.

FIG. 28 is a central vertical section on an enlarged scale taken on line28-28 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a similar view taken on line 29-29 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken on line30-30 of FIG. 27.

FIG. 31 is a side elevational view in detail of the control unit in FIG.27, partly broken away.

FIG. 32 is a similar view of the opposite side of the last-named controlunit.

FIG. 33 is a transverse horizontal section taken on line 33-33 of FIG.31.

FIG. 34 is a side elevation showing a double loop selfcentering controlunit for high waisted girdles and the like possessing similar featuresto those possessed by the control unit in FIG. 27.

FIG. 35 is a fragmentary interior side elevation of the front wall of agirdle having a modified form of pocket structure for receiving animproved oval type control unit having a main vertical rib and an upperhorizontal rib.

FIG. 36 is a central vertical section taken on line 36-36 of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on line 37-37 of FIG.35.

FIG. 38 is a further view similar to FIG. 35 showing a modified pocketstructure and oval control unit.

FIG. 39 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 27 showing afurther modification of the inventron.

FIG. 40 is a vertical section taken on line 40-40 of FIG. 39.

FIG. 41 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line41-41 of FIG. 39.

FIG. 42 is a fragmentary side elevation showing another embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 43 is a fragmentary elevational view showing a slight modificationof the construction in FIG. 42.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings in detail wherein likereference numerals designate like parts, and referring first to FIGS. 1through 11, the numeral 40 designates a strapless corselet embodying oneform of the invention. As is well known in the prior art, the bodyportion of the corselet may be formed of fabric which is stretchable inone direction or two directions in whole or in part, and portiorls ofthe foundation garment may be made of non-stretch material. Theinvention herein is concerned with an abdominal control unit for thegarment and with means to mount the control unit on the front wallportion of the garment.

Continuing to refer to the drawings, a pocket structure 41, whosedetails will be described, is attached to the interior of the garmentfront wall 42 by suitable stitching and an abdominal control unit 43shown isolated in FIG. 2 is received removably within the pocketstructure 41.

The pocket structure 41 comprises a centrally located enlarged or mainpocket portion 44 on the interior of the front wall 42 and attachedthereto by a marginal line of stitching 45. The main portion 44 of thepocket structure contains a longitudinal vertical slit 46 at itstransverse center through which the control unit 43 is inserted andremoved at required times as when it is necessary to launder thegarment. As depicted in FIG. 8, the main pocket portion 44 provides apouch extension 47 at its lower end to receive and support the lowerresilient loop of the control unit 43, yet to be described in detail.Extending above the top of the main pocket portion 44 and communicatingtherewith is a narrow central vertical pocket extension 48 or tube alsojoined to the front wall 42 by marginal lines of stitching 49 andextending to the extreme top of the corselet at the front and centerthereof. The top of the front wall 42, FIG. 8, is folded inwardly at 50and attached to the top of the pocket extension 48 by lines of stitching51. This produces a secure attachment of the fabric elements with aminimum number of wall thicknesses and thus keeps the bulk of thegarment to a minimum at this point.

The pocket structure 41 further embodies a dependent narrow lowervertical pocket extension 52 in alignment with the extension 48 andextending to the lower edge of the corselet and attached thereto bymarginal lines of stitching 53. The lower end portion of thepocket'extension 52 receives fixedly therein a relatively short thinmetal rib 54 which is held against vertical displacement by an upturnedhem 55 at the bottom of the pocket extension and by an opposed hem 56near the top thereof secured by a line of stitching 57. The forward faceof the rib 54 is exposed in the tubular pocket extension 52 for slidingcontact with a lower main rib of the unit 43, soon to be described. Theshort rib 54 assists vertical movement of the main rib and prevents thelatter from jabbing into the body during stooping or bending movements.

There is also provided upon the pocket structure 41 an important featurein the form of a multi-purpose relatively thick cushioning pad 58. Thispad forms an internal closure flap for the main pocketportion 44 havingthe slit 46, see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. The pad is attached by suitablestitching 59 to the main pocket portion 44 on one side of the slit 46and overlaps this slit and carries snap fastener elements 60 near itsother longitudinal edge to mate with coacting snap elements 61 on theinterior of the pocket and on the opposite side of the slit 46. Thus theflap 58 has for one of its purposes the formation of a closure for themain pocket portion. Another purpose of the flap or pad is to protectthe abdomen of the wearer at the most critical point from any possiblejabbing or discomfort due to parts of the unit 43 being deflected intothe body during bending movements. The pad 58 serves a third purpose,namely, to mount two closely adjacent parallel vertical thin ribs 62 onthe forward face of the pad whose upper and lower extremities aresocketed by lines of stitching between the pad proper and attachmentstrips 63 and 64 stitched to the forward face of the pad 58 at its topand bottom, see FIG. 9. The sockets for the opposite ends of the ribs 62are produced by lines of stitching 65, as

indicated in FIG. 9. The exposed thin ribs 62 form a barrier for thelower end of the upper main rib on the unit 43 and slidably engage suchmain rib and resist jabbing thereof into the body at all times.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4 in particular, the control unit 43comprises an upper generally circular highly resilient zigzag wire loop66 of the type generally well known in the prior art, a similar lowerresilient loop 67, an upper relatively thick and stiff main vertical rib68 and a lower relatively thin and flexible main rib 69. The upper mainrib 68 is suitably rigidly secured to a flattened cross connector 70which also serves to anchor and secure the ends of the wire forming theloop 66 at the top of this loop. Another flattened connector 71 at thecenter of the unit 43 clampingly secures the two loops 66 and 67 insubstantially tangential relationship and firmly anchors the ends ofthewire forming the lower loop 67. The same connector 71 is also rigidlyattached to the upper end of the lower main rib 69 which extendsdownwardly diametrically across the lower loop 67 and well below thesame. The upper main rib 68 extends above and below the connector 70 andhas its lower end terminating approximately at the center of the upperresilient loop 66. The coacting short ribs 62 and 54 fixed within thepocket structure 41 are shown schematically in FIG. 2 in theirrelationships to the main ribs 68 and 69.

The general mode of operation of the control unit 43 remains the same asdescribed in Pat. No. 3,498,298. The two basic purposes of the unit 43are to control the abdomen of the wearer of the corselet and to assistin holding up the top of the garment particularly in the most criticalfront center region. The resilient unit 43 is easily inserted into thepocket structure 41 through the slit 46 when the snap fasteners 60-61are separated and the pad 58 is folded outwardly as shown in FIG. 7. Theupper main control rib 68 is received in the narrow upper pocketextension 48, the top of which is closed, FIG. 8. The lower main rib 69is received in the bottom pocket extension 52 which may remain entirelyopen at the bottom, FIG. 8, so that the rib 69 is free to reciprocatevertically therein. As previously mentioned, the lower end of the mainrib 68 slidably engages the short ribs 62 on the front of the pad 58during bending movements and correspondingly the lower end of the rib 69slidably contacts the relatively stationary rib 54 during such bodymovements.

The power for expanding the control unit 43 lengthwise or verticallyduring use is derived from the two highly resilient spring loops 66 and67 which are both received in the main portion 44 of the pocketstructure. The bottom of the lower loop 67 reacts against the closedbottom of the pouch 47, FIGS. 1 and 8, and this yieldingly resistsdownward movement of the main lower rib 69 which is relatively thin anda good deal more flexible than the upper main rib 68. Except as resistedby the yielding loop 67, the lower rib 69 is freely longitudinallymovable within and guided by the lower pocket extension 52. The shortrib 54 contained therein assures that there will be no jabbing into thebody of the lower end of the main rib 69. The upper resilient loop 66supports the upper relatively stiff rib 68 and resiliently urges itupwardly against the closed top end of pocket extension 48. The power ofthe two coacting resilient loops 66 and 67 is additive to expand theunit 43 lengthwise when the two loops are compressed vertically as bybending or stooping movements. The two loops 66 and 67 are free toexpand laterally into elliptical shapes within the pocket portion 44which is considerably wider than the loops 66 when the latter arerelaxed, FIG. 1. As a result of the total unique coaction between thecontrol unit 43 and the confining pocket structure 41 with pad 58 andauxiliary short ribs 62 and 54, a firm supporting and controlling forceis exerted on the abdomen during all positions of use and simultaneouslythe expansive force of the resilient loops 66 and 67 acting through theupper rub 68 constantly supports the front top edge of the garment inthe region between the breasts.

There is a further benefit derived from the use of the pad 58 and theshort ribs 62 in addition to guarding against possible jabbing of thebody by the bottom of the rib 68. This benefit is graphically shown inFIG. 1 1 which contrasts the present invention with the prior art whichis shown in FIG. 10. In the prior art, the pad 58 and the ribs 62 areabsent. Consequently, the weight of the breasts acting on the upper mainrib produces a greater gapping of the garment at its top and centerdesignated at G in FIG. 10, because there is nothing to counter-reactefficiently at the lower end of the upper main rib. However, with theimproved arrangement, FIG. 11, the outward bending moment on the uppermain rib 68 shown by the upper arrow in FIG. 11 is counteracted by theresistance of the ribs 62 as shown by the lower arrow in FIG. 11. Thisstabilizes the rib 68 whose thickness has also been increased ascompared to the prior art with the result that the gap G is considerablylessened in comparison to the gap G.

Another feature which should be noted is that the close spacedrelationship of the ribs 62 on the pad 58, FIG. 9, does not interferewith the flexing of the pad to open the pocket as illustrated in FIG. 7.The entire structure is characterized by simplicity and minimized bulkor thickness and economy, particularly when taking into considerationthe variety of functions served by the structure.

FIGS. 12 through 14 of the drawings show an embodiment of the inventionapplicable particularly to a girdle of regular waist length as comparedto a high waisted girdle. In these figures, the girdle front wall isdesignated by the numeral 72 and upon the interior of this front wall ismounted a very simple pocket 73 attached to the girdle by marginalstitching 74. The stitching is interrupted along one vertical side ofthis pocket 73 to provide an opening 75 for the insertion and removal ofa resilient control unit 76, to be described. The pocket 73 has adepending narrow tubular extension 77 at the center thereof which may beleft open at the bottom, FIG. 13. Contained fixedly within the lowerreaches of the pocket extension 77 are a pair of short guiding andstabilizing ribs 78 whose upper and lower ends are confined by hems orsockets 79 and 80 produced by stitching. As will be described, the mainvertical rib of the control unit 76 operates between the pair of ribs 78and the latter prevent jabbing of the body or unsightly outward bulgingof the garment caused by the lower end of the main rib.

The unit 76 comprises a single approximately heartshaped resilient loop81 whose upper terminals are secured by a rigid connector 82 which alsoserves to rigidly anchor the top end of a vertical central main rib 83.The main rib 83 extends downwardly across the bottom of the loop 81 andintothe narrow pocket extension 77, as shown. When the unit 76 isrelaxed, the

lower end of the main rib 83 projects between the two ribs 78 for arelatively small distance, FIG. 13, and when the wearer of the garmentbends at the waist, the main rib will move downwardly between the ribs78 toward the bottom open end of the tubular pocket extension 77 withoutrestraint. The bottom of the loop 81 rests in a pouch 84 formed on thepocket 73 and the resistance offered by this pouch coupled with theresiliency of the wire loop 81 will tend to elevate the rib 83 and causethe upper lobes 85 of the heart-shaped loop to bear against the top hemor edge 86 of the girdle and prevent the same from sagging. Withreference to FIG. 13, it may be noted that the top hem 86 is formedintegrally on the pocket 73 and consists of only two layers of fabric.The outer garment wall 72 is folded inwardly at 87 to form an upperfinishing edge on the garment outwardly of the pocket structure. Thetotal number of fabric layers is held to a minimum and bulkiness isreduced.

An added improvement over the prior art in the embodiment of FIGS. 1214resides in the provision of a horizontal resilient rib or stay 88 on thegarment front wall adjacent the top edge thereof and on the interior ofthe pocket structure and contiguous with the latter transversely. Thishorizontal rib 88 is confined within a small horizontal pocket 89 formedby a strip of fabric connected to the interior of the pocket 73 bymarginal lines of stitching 90. The horizontal rib 88 coacts with thelobes 85 of the heart-shaped loop 81 in maintaining the top edge of thegirdle straight and relatively taut in the region of the pocket and thecontrol unit 76 within the pocket, whose dual purpose is the comfortablecontrol of the abdomen and the upholding of the frontal top edge of thegarment, which otherwise would tend to sag and roll over. The generalmode of operation without the present improvements is adequatelydescribed in the aforementioned Pat. No. 3,498,298.

FIGS. through 19 show a modification of the invention also applicable togirdles. In this modification, a pocket structure 91 is stitched to thegirdle front wall 92 by marginal lines of stitching as indicated in FIG.15. Within the pocketstructure 91 is a modified form of resilientcontrol unit 93 comprising a single approximately circular wire loop 94whose upper ends are secured by a connector 95, also rigidly connectingthe upper end of a main vertical rib 96 with the top of the loop 94. Therib 96 extends downwardly entirely across and below the loop 94 and isfree from attachment to the bottom of the loop. Below the loop 94 andpocket 91, the main rib 96 extends into a reduced width vertical pocketextension 97 which is essentially tubular and open at its lower end. Thelower end portion of the rib 96 overlaps and lies rearwardly of a singleshort rib 98 whose upper and lower ends are socketed to hems 99 and 100formed by stitching on a fabric strip 101 which constitutes an extensionof the above pocket structure, FIG. 16, and which lies inwardly of thegarment outer wall 92. As described in the other embodiments, the mainrib 96 while moving downwardly may slidably engage the exposed face ofthe rib 98 and is stabilized thereby. The resilient loop 94 is containedwithin the main portion of pocket structure 91 and has its lower sideresting in a pouch formation 102 at the bottom of the main pocketportion. The main pocket portion has an off-center entrance opening orslit 103, FIG. 15, through which the resilient unit 93, composed ofelements 94, and 96, may be introduced into and removed from the pocketstructure.

At the top of the pocket structure 91, a relatively short separatelyformed horizontal rib 104, similar to the rib 88, is disposed within ahorizontal pocket or tubular formation 105, formed by stitching alonglines of stitching 106 and 107. A gap is allowed to remain in the lineof stitching 106 to provide an opening 108, FIG. 15, for the removal andintroduction of the horizontal rib 104 into the tubular pocket105. Thepocket 105 is formed by an inward extension of the forwardmost layer 109of the pocket structure, as shown particularly at the top of FIG. 16.The garment outer wall 92 is also folded over the top edge anddownwardly on the interior side and stitched as indicated at 110 in FIG.16. This arrangement again provides for the accommodation of a number ofcomponents with a minimum number of fabric layers to produce a sturdybut cleanlooking construction.

FIG. 19 depicts the details of the pocket structure 91, including theabove-mentioned forwardmost wall 109 immediately inwardly of the garmentfront wall 92 and the element folded over at the top to produce thehorizontal pocket 105 for the rib 104. The top section of the wall 92designated 110 in FIG. 16 is also shown in FIG. 19 prior to folding. Thedouble thickness layers 111 and 112 forming the main body portion ofpocket structure 91 and also forming the pouch 102 are shown in FIG. 19.The element 113 is a reinforcement for the bottom of the pouch 102 whichstrengthens the pocket at the point where the pressure from the bottomof the loop 94 is concentrated. Other forms of pocket construction maybe employed for the structure 91 in some instances although theconstruction shown in FIG. 19 is a preferred construction and is verysturdy without adding significant bulk to the garment.

Another feature of the embodiment in FIG. 15 is the addition of a pairof relatively short auxiliary ribs 114, one on each side of the centralmain rib 96in equidistantly spaced parallel relation. These auxiliaryribs are contained within narrow tubular pockets attached to the fabricsection 109 and to the garment front wall 92 by stitching, as indicated.The tops of the narrow pockets 115 remain open, as best shown in FIG.17, these pockets being longer than the ribs 1 14 so that the latter canhave some movement longitudinally therein. This arrangement providesincreased self-adjusting control on the abdomen during various bodymovements. All of the ribs 114 and 98 are readily removable forlaundering, when necessary. The rib 98 is preferably a thin veryflexible rib and has for one of its purposes to prevent wrinkling of thegarment, particularly near the lower end of the main rib 96. Thehorizontal rib 104 lies between the body of the wearer and the connector95 and thus protects the body from undue pressure caused by the rigidconnector. The rib 104 also prevents creeping of the pocket structure atthe top of the garment and forms a straight edge, whereas without thisrib, the pressure exerted by the top of the loop 94 would tend to causea rounded bulge at the top and center of the garment where the pressurefrom the loop 94 is the greatest. This same advantageous feature ispresent in the embodiment of FIG. 12 where the horizontal rib 88maintains the top edge of the garment substantially straight adjacentthe pressure lobes 85.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show a modification of the construction in FIGS. 15 to19. In the further modification, the

top horizontal rib 116 serving the same function as the rib 104 isattached to an extension 117 of a connector 118 which secures the top ofa main control rib 119 and the opposing ends of the wire which forms theresilient loop 120. The pocket 91 which is basically the same asdepicted in FIG. contains an upper bottom opening extension 91 for thehorizontal rib 116. The opposite ends of the pocket extension 91 areformed by vertical lines of stitching 92'. The entire control unit maythus be slipped into the pocket 91 through the vertical slit 103 and thetop rib 116 may be slipped upwardly into the pocket extension 91. Thispresent modification eliminates several thicknesses of metal and fabricat the top of the garment.

FIG. 22 shows a modification of the metal control unit employed in FIGS.and 21. In this figure, a second horizontal rib 121 is secured to thebottom of the resilient loop 120 through a connector 122. This controlunit in FIG. 22 is utilized on girdles having the simple form of pocketas depicted in FIG. 12 or FIGS. 15 and 20 to prevent the bottom of theresilient loop from causing bulging of the supporting pouch 84 or 102where the pressure from the loop is concentrated.

FIGS. 23 and 24 show a form of control unit as would be employed on ahigh waisted girdle of the general type shown in FIG. I of Pat. No.3,498,298. Such a control unit comprises upper and lower resilient loops123 and 124 joined by a cruciform connector 125 which is also rigidlyattached to the upper end of a main control rib 126. A top horizontalshort rib 127 is attached to the top of upper loop 123 by a connector128 and a lower short horizontal rib 129 is attached to the bottom ofloop 124 by another connector 130. The rib 129, loop 124 and connector130 are not attached to the rib 126, FIG. 24, so that the main controlrib 126 is free to reciprocate vertically in a narrow guide pocket orpassageway as disclosed in this application and in said prior patent. Itshould be mentioned also in connection with FIG. 22 that the rib 119 isnot attached to the rib 121, connector 122 or the bottom of the loop120, for the same reasons. The top horizontal rib 127 prevents the loop123 from causing a bulge at the top edge of the garment and prevents thetop of the loop from digging into the body by keeping the top edge ofthe garment essentially straight. The bottom horizontal rib 129 preventsthe lower loop 124 from causing the bottom of the pocket to sag and alsoprevents the bottom of the loop 124 from entering the narrow pocket orpassage which accommodates the control rib 126. The pocket structure forthe unit shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 has not been illustrated forsimplicity because this pocket structure can be basically the same asthe structures 73 and 91 except that additional length is added to thepocket to accommodate the two loops 123 and 124 which are connected oneabove the other substantially tangentially.

FIGS. and 26 show a modification of the auxiliary ribs 114, FIGS. 15 and20, which are employed on opposite sides ofa main rib. The auxiliary ribin FIGS. 25 and 26 comprises two short overlapping vertical rib sections131 and 132 attached to the garment at the top of the section 131 and atthe bottom of the section 132 as indicated at 133 by thread or the like.The two overlapping rib sections are placed in narrow pockets 134 oneither side of a main vertical rib. When the wearer of the garment isupright, the rib sections 131 and 132 are disposed substantially asshown in the drawings.

When the wearer bends the body, the rib sections can move and slide anddeflect relative to each other, the top section moving downwardly andthe bottom section moving upwardly. Thus, the auxiliary rib cannot jabinto the body regardless of body movements. The movement of the ribsections takes place inside of the pocket 134 and thus will cause nowrinkling or pulling of the garment fabric.

FIGS. 27 through 33 show a further and preferred form of the inventionembodying a simplified and more efficient resilient control unit for agirdle, panty girdle or the like, in combination with a furthersimplified side opening pocket structure. The elimination of theseparately formed and attached horizontal ribs 116 and 121, FIG. 22, hasbeen achieved without loss of their valuable function. Referring furtherto FIGS. 27 through 33, a girdle is depicted having a simplifiedrectangular pocket 131 stitched directly to the abdominal wall of thegirdle designated at 132. The pocket 131 is open along one vertical edgeas at 133 for the introduction and removal of a single loop typeimproved resilient control unit 134. The unit 134' embodies a topconnector 135 for the ends of a wire loop 136, and this top connector ismade sufficiently long on opposite sides of a main control rib 137 sothat the connector itself forms a horizontal rib to maintain the topedge of the garment straight and taut and free of bulges, and withoutthe presence of narrow parts which might jab into the body at thispoint. The connector 135 in effect becomes a relatively rigid section inthe otherwise highly resilient loop 136 which furnishes the power tohold up the top edge of the girdle or garment. The connector 135 isfixedly attached to the top ends of main control rib 137. A lowerconnector, preferably of the same length as the connector 135, is firmlyattached to the bottom of loop 136 and becomes an integral part thereofand becomes seated in the bottom of the pocket 131, FIGS. 27 and 29. Thelower connector is designated 138. The two rib-like connectors 135 and138 under influence of the spring loop 136 will expand against thebottom of the pocket and the top edge of the girdle to hold the top edgeup and to prevent bulging and wrinkling of the garment.

The lower connector 138 has a short integral depending tab or extension139 which enters for a short dis tance into the top of a narrow verticaltubular guide extension 135' within which the main control rib 137engages for guided vertical movement. The lower end of the tubularpocket extension 135 is open as shown so that the rib 137 will haveunrestricted downward movement. The engagement of the tab 139 in thisnarrow pocket extension maintains the control unit 134' centeredlaterally within the pocket and on the front wall of the garment. Thistab and the connector 138 interfere in no way with the action of the rib137 since there is no connection between these elements and the maincontrol rib. Generally as described previously in con nection with FIGS.12 and 15 a thin and highly flexible relatively short auxiliary rib 136is fixedly and removably mounted on a dependent extension 137 of thepocket structure in position for sliding contact with the lower end ofthe main rib 137. As previously expained, this insures free and smoothmovement of the main vertical rib at required times during bending andstooping, and also prevents the lower end of the main rib from jabbingthe body.

In FIG. 34, there is shown a resilient control unit 138 of the doubleloop type applicable to high waisted garments. For simplicity ofdescription, the girdle and pocket structure have been omitted in FIG.34 particularly in light of the teachings of the prior Herbener Pat. No.3,498,298. The unit 138 includes an upper resilient wire loop 139, theopposite ends of which are firmly connected by elongated connector 140at the top of the loop 139' which forms an integral horizontal rib forthe purpose described in connection with the connector-rib 135. Asimilar lower resilient loop 141' is attached tangentially to the upperloop by a cruciform connector 142 which is also rigidly attached to theupper end of a main control rib 143 which is capable of verticalmovement in a tubular guide pocket extension, not shown. A lowerelongated connector 144 is attached to the bottom of the loop 141 andhas an integral center dependent tab 145 for the same purpose describedin connection with the tab 139, namely, to center the unit 138 laterallyand prevent lateral movement. The main rib 143 is unattached to theelements 144' and 145 and is therefore freely movable relative thereto.The main rib crosses and extends well below the lower connector 144. Inuse, the two connectors 140 and 144' bear against the top edge or hem ofthe garment and the bottom of the pocket, respectively, and theexpansive power of the two loops 139 and 141 acting through theseelements will maintain the top edge of the garment straight and taut atthe center of the garment while maintaining the abdominal wall portionof the garment smooth and relatively free of wrinkles. At the same timea wearerof the garment has complete freedom of movement with no loss ofcomfort and the main control rib 143 maintains the abdomen relativelyflat while moving vertically as required by bending and stooping of thewearer. The construction of the unit 138 is more compact and simplerthan the two circle unit shown in FIG. 23 and additionally possesses theself-centering feature afforded by the tab 145'.

FIGS. 35 through 37 show another embodiment applicable to girdles orpanty girdles, in which an oval type resilient control unit 141 isutilized within a pocket 142 on the abdominal wall 143 of the garment.The integral unit 141 includes a main vertical control rib 144 which isfree to reciprocate vertically in an open ended fabric guide tube 145stitched to the outer layer 146 of the pocket structure. The unit 141embodies preferably three vertically elongated elliptical or ovalresilient wire loops 147, 148 and 149 of successively smaller sizeinwardly. The curved bottoms of these three loops are supported bystepped pocket pouches 150, FIG. 36. The ends of the wires forming thethree loops are securely clamped at the tops thereof by a singleconnector 151 which is also secured rigidly at 152 to the top of mainrib 144. The lower end of this main rib extends to a point somewhatbelow the center of the innermost loop 149 when the unit 141 is flat orrelaxed. The unit further embodies a top horizontal rib 153 secured tothe top of connector 151 and extending equidistantly on opposite sidesof the vertical rib 144. The horizontal rib 153 holds up the top edge ofthe garment, such as a girdle, and maintains the top edge straight andprevents jabbing of any narrow parts into the body. The three concentricoval loops never come into direct contact with the upper edge of thegarment. The oval loops in the arrangement shown do not requirestitching to the garment wall and may be freely disposed in the pocket142 which has a center vertical slit 154 through which the unit 141 maybe inserted and removed. In some cases, a simple side opening pocket maybe employed instead of a center opening pocket. The pocket 142 issufficiently wide to permit the necessary lateral expansion of the ovalloops during movements of the body by the wearer. The upper edge of thegarment is formed and reinforced by folding inwardly the top extremityof the outer pocket layer 146 and the garment outer wall 143, as shownat 155 in FIG. 36. No separate pocket for the rib 153 is required.

While oval loops formed of zigzag wire are broadly known in the priorart, they have not been proposed in combination with the central mainvertical control rib and a simplified pocket for the entire unit. Also,the provision of a horizontal rib, such as the rib 153, on such an ovalunit is novel in the art.

FIG. 38 shows a modification of the construction in FIGS. 35 through 37,wherein the pocket pouches 150 for the support of the bottoms of theoval loops are no longer needed and are eliminated. As shown, aresilient control unit 156 for a girdle or the like comprises a pair ofoval resilient loops 157 and 158 whose upper ends are firmly joined to aconnector 159 which is also attached to the top of a main vertical rib160 and a top horizontal rib 161. Another connector 162 at the bottom ofthe unit is clamped to the bottoms of the loops 157 and 158 and issecured to a bottom horizontal rib 163.

The main vertical rib 160 is movably guided in a fabric tubular guide164 on the front wall of the garment. A very simple pocket 165 isemployed having a side opening 166 for the entrance and removal of theunit 156. In some, cases, a center opening pocket may be used ifpreferred. The top and bottom horizontal ribs 161 and 163 engage withinand are centered by reduced width pocket extensions 167 and 168, asshown in FIG. 38. The expansive action of the loops 157 and 158 urgesthe ribs 161 and 163 against the top and bottom margins of the pocket tomaintain the garment taut and to uphold the top edge thereof.

FIGS. 39 through 41 show another modification broadly similar to FIGS.27 through 32 but in even simpler and more economical form, rendering itpossible to eliminate entirely the lower connector 138, tab 139 andassociated parts without loss of function.

In FIGS. 39 through 41, a simple side opening pocket 169 formed of asingle piece of fabric is applied to the interior face of the garmentfront wall 170 by stitching lines 171 and 172. The open side of thepocket is indicated at 173 to receive and permit removal of the metalcontrol unit 174. This unit in the simplified form shown comprises asingle loop 175 formed of zigzag wire, having its upper side attached tothe top of a main vertical control rib 176 through a connector 177 whichalso joins the ends of the wire constituting the loop 175.

The main vertical rib 176 has its upper end portion lying between thetwo side walls 178 and 179 of pocket 169, and near the vertical centerof the pocket the rib 176 emerges through a buttonhole-like slit 180 inthe pocket front wall 179 and from this point downwardly is outside ofthe main pocket. The entire loop 175, however, remains within the pocket169 and the bottom of the loop seats upon the bottom fold of the pocketwithout a horizontally elongated connector or a centering tab, such asshown in FIGS. 27 to 32. In-

stead of that arrangement, the simple slit 180 serves to center the rib176 and the entire control unit 174 on the garment and prevents lateraldisplacement of the unit relative to the pocket 169 and garment.

Below the pocket 169 the rib 176 is received movably in a tubular pocketextension 181, forward wall of which may extend to a point near the topof the main pocket 169 and the other wall of which extends from thebottom of the pocket 169 downwardly. As in prior forms of the invention,the bottom of the tubular pocket extension 181 remains open andpreferably contains on one or both walls thereof a thin flexibleauxiliary rib 182 against which the main rib 176 may slide and toprevent jabbing, as previously explained. At the top of the garment, anarrow horizontal pocket 183 for a horizontal rib 184 is provided andthis pocket has a lower side opening 185 through which the rib 184 isintroduced and removed, the latter being separate from the unit 174consisting of the loop 175, main rib 176 and connector 177.

The invention in FIGS. 39 to 41 possesses substan tially the sameadvantages discussed in connection with FIGS. 27 to 33 but is simpler.The simple buttonholelike slit 180 takes the place of the elongatedmetal connector 138 with centering tab 139 and the slit centers the unitlaterally, as stated. The tubular pocket extension 181 guides the rib176 during vertical movement caused by stooping or bending. Theadvantages of this simplified construction should be readily apparent.

FIG. 42 shows yet another embodiment in which a simple side openingpocket 186 is attached to the garment front wall 187 by stitching, asshown, the open side of the pocket being indicated at 188. The abdominalcontrol unit removably mounted in the pocket 186 comprises a singlecircular zigzag wire loop 189 having connectors 190 and 191 fixedlysecured to its top and bottom sides. These connectors are also rigidlysecured to top and bottom horizontal ribs 192 and 193 which are receivedwithin top and bottom shallow horizontal pocket extensions 194 and 195,these pocket extensions being open at their bottom and top sides,respectively, and communicating with the interior of the main pocket186, so that the entire resilient unit including components 189 through193 can be inserted and removed easily. In this embodiment, the mainvertical rib may be omitted and the single loop 189 is employed insteadof oval loops as indicated in FIG. 38. The construction is very simpleand compact.

In FiG. 43, the construction may be identical with that shown in FIG. 42with the following exception. Instead of the connector 190 andseparately formed horizontal rib 192 at the top of the loop 189, ahorizontally elongated connector 196 is secured to the top of the loopand this connector has an integral extension 197 at its top projectinginto the pocket extension 194 and performing the same purpose as the rib192 in FIG. 42. The same construction shown in FIG. 43 may be employedat the bottom of the loop 189 in lieu of the separate elements 191 and193, namely, a connector or bar portion secured in the bottom of theloop having an integral side extension serving as a horizontal rib. Themodified construction somewhat reduces the number of parts.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scopeof the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion coveringthe abdomen, a pocket structure on the interior of said front wallportion adapted to removably receive a resilient abdominal control unit,said pocket structure including a main unit compartment and top andbottom shallow compartments of reduced width communicating with saidmain unit compartment, and a resilient abdominal control unit comprisinga resilient loop and top and bottom substantially horizontal ribsattached to upper and lower portions of the loop and adapted to entersaid top and bottom shallow compartments removably and being centeredlaterally by said shallow compartments, said loop disposed within saidmain unit compartment.

2. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion coveringthe abdomen, a pocket structure on the interior of the front wallportion, said pocket structure having a main compartment with a sideopening leading into the main compartment and top and bottom shallowcompartments of reduced width communicating with said main compartment,and a resilient abdominal control unit comprising a resilient loop andtop and bottom substantially horizontal ribs attached to upper and lowerportions of the loop, said loop received by said main compartment andsaid ribs received by said shallow compartments.

3. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion coveringthe abdomen, a side opening pocket on the interior of the front wallportion having top and bottom shallow compartments of reduced width, aresilient abdominal control unit removably engageable within said pocketand comprising at least a single resilient loop, top and bottomsubstantially horizontal ribs attached to upper and lower portions ofsaid loop and a central vertical main control rib attached to the tophorizontal rib and upper portion of said loop and extending downwardlytherefrom for a substantial distance, said ribs receivable in saidshallow compartments, and a substantially vertical flexible tubularguide element for said control rib on the interior of said garment frontwall portion.

4. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion adjacentto the abdomen of the wearer, a pocket means on the interior of saidwall portion having an opening, a vertically elongated oval resilientloop disposed within the pocket means and being freely laterallyexpansible therein when compressed in a vertical direction, and top andbottom substantially horizontal ribs secured to upper and lower portionsof said loop, the pocket means having top and bottom centering recessesfor said ribs and receiving the ribs removably.

5. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion adjacentto the abdomen of the wearer, a pocket means on the interior of saidwall portion, a vertically elongated oval resilient loop disposed withinthe pocket means and being laterally expansible therein when undercompression vertically, a central main vertical control rib attached tothe upper portion of said loop and extending therebelow and terminatinginside of said loop, and a tubular substantially vertical fabric guidefor said main control rib on said front wall portion allowing the maincontrol rib to reciprocate vertically without being displacedappreciably laterally.

1. In a foundation garment which includes a front wall portion coveringthe abdomen, a pocket structure on the interior of said front wallportion adapted to removably receive a resilient abdominal control unit,said pocket structure including a main unit compartment and top andbottom shallow compartments of reduced width communicating with saidmain unit compartment, and a resilient abdominal control unit comprisinga resilient loop and top and bottom substantially horizontal ribsattached to upper and lower portions of the loop and adapted to entersaid top and bottom shallow compartments removably and being centeredlaterally by said shallow compartments, said loop disposed within saidmain unit compartment.
 2. In a foundation garment which includes a frontwall portion covering the abdomen, a pocket structure on the interior ofthe front wall portion, said pocket structure having a main compartmentwith a side opening leading into the main compartment and top and bottomshallow compartments of reduced width communicating with said maincompartment, and a resilient abdominal control unit comprising aresilient loop and top and bottom substantially horizontal ribs attachedto upper and lower portions of the loop, said loop received by said maincompartment and said ribs received by said shallow compartments.
 3. In afoundation garment which includes a front wall portion covering theabdomen, a side opening pocket on the interior of the front wall portionhaving top and bottom shallow compartments of reduced width, a resilientabdominal control unit removably engageable within said pocket andcomprising at least a single resilient loop, top and bottomsubstantially horizontal ribs attached to upper and lower portions ofsaid loop and a central vertical main control rib attached to the tophorizontal rib and upper portion of said loop and extending downwardlytherefrom for a substantial distance, said ribs receivable in saidshallow compartments, and a substantially vertical flexible tubularguide element for said control rib on the interior of said garment frontwall portion.
 4. In a foundation garment which includes a front wallportion adjacent to the abdomen of the wearer, a pocket means on theinterior of said wall portion having an opening, a vertically elongatedoval resilient loop disposed within the pocket means and being freelylaterally expansible therein when compressed in a vertical direction,and top and bottom substantially horizontal ribs secured to upper andlower portions of said loop, the pocket means having top and bottomcentering recesses for said ribs and receiving the ribs removably.
 5. Ina foundation garment which includes a front wall portion adjacent to theabdomen of the wearer, a pocket means on the interior of said wallportion, a vertically elongated oval resilient loop disposed within thepocket means and being laterally expansible therein when undercompression vertically, a central main vertical control rib attached tothe upper portion of said loop and extending therebelow and terminatinginside of said loop, and a tubular substantially vertical fabric guidefor said main control rib on said front wall portion allowing the maincontrol rib to reciprocate vertically without being displacedappreciably laterally.